Bahrain’s Gulf Air in talks with Airbus about order for 50 jets

Discussions include single-aisle and wide-body planes, with a view to placing an order in January at the Bahrain Air show, a spokeswoman said. Bahrain’s transport minister and the airline’s chief executive officer spoke with Airbus officials in Paris Tuesday during a state visit by the country’s king, she said. Once the Mideast’s top carrier, Gulf Air has been overtaken by newer players led by Dubai-based Emirates and Qatar Airways Ltd. With losses mounting, the company focused more on regional flights while slashing jobs and retiring planes after its government owner told it to shrink or face closure.